Chris Ash recently accepted the head coaching job at Rutgers, which left a void in Urban Meyer’s coaching staff. [ MORE: Full 2015-16 bowl schedule | Best of the Bowls | Ranking the bowls, 1-40 | Big Ten bowl bags | Big Ten bowl factoids | Get all of our bowl coverage ] Now, it looks like that void has been filled. Former Rutgers coach Greg Schiano will replace Ash and work alongside Luke Fickell coordinating the Ohio State defense, coach Urban Meyer announced today. According to OSU’s Athletic Department, Schiano’s hire is pending completion of a background check and

The 2015 Big Ten football season is in the books. With Michigan State defeating Iowa in the conference championship game just six days ago, Big Ten fans will have to wait another two-plus weeks for bowl games to get underway.

The Big Ten has 10 teams in bowl games, with Michigan State vs. Alabama (Cotton), Iowa vs. Stanford (Rose) and Ohio State vs. Notre Dame (Fiesta) leading the way. And there will be no shortage of quality opponents for conference schools to contend with. [ MORE: Full 2015-16 bowl schedule | Best of the Bowls | Ranking the bowls, 1-40 | Big Ten bowl bags | Big Ten bowl factoids | Get all of our bowl coverage ] Heading the list are the top running backs in the nation in Alabama’s Derrick Henry and Stanford’s Christian McCaffrey, who are No.

The Big Ten hockey season is underway, which means our BTN Hockey Report is back for the 2015-16 campaign. BTN studio host Rick Pizzo, who played hockey at Hamilton College, will anchor our Big Ten hockey coverage this season. The BTN Hockey Report will include weekend highlights, standouts and analysis surrounding all six Big Ten hockey programs. Check out this year’s first edition of our report in the video on top of this post. Also, follow our Big Ten hockey Twitter account, @HockeyonBTN, for updates throughout the season. Enjoy, Big Ten fans!

Let’s talk facts, OK? [ MORE: Full 2015-16 bowl schedule | Best of the Bowls | Ranking the bowls, 1-40 | Big Ten bowl bags | Big Ten bowl factoids | Get all of our bowl coverage ] The Big Ten is home to the reigning national champ (Ohio State). The SEC hasn’t won the the national crown since 2012, this after its unbelievable run of dominance at the end of the BCS era. The Big Ten has one team (Michigan State) in the second annual College Football Playoff. The SEC also has one (Alabama). The Big Ten went 2-2

You have questions? I have answers in my Big Ten Mailbag. Is Michigan State’s offense better than Alabama’s? Did I rank the Iowa-Stanford Rose Bowl matchup too low in my bowl rankings? Will Nebraska whip UCLA in its bowl? I address those topics and others. [ MORE: Full 2015-16 bowl schedule | Best of the Bowls | Ranking the bowls, 1-40 | Big Ten bowl bags | Big Ten bowl factoids | Get all of our bowl coverage ] Will Michigan State be better off running screens and draws instead of running into the teeth of Alabama’s defense? – Jeff

Every game has a storyline, right? So what are they for the 10 Big Ten bowl teams? From Michigan State and its playoff matchup with Alabama in the Cotton Bowl to Minnesota and its battle vs. Central Michigan in the Quick Lane Bowl, here is what to watch for. [ MORE: Full 2015-16 bowl schedule | Best of the Bowls | Ranking the bowls, 1-40 | Big Ten bowl bags | Big Ten bowl factoids | Get all of our bowl coverage ] Indiana. Just getting to a bowl is a big deal for the Hoosiers, who last went in

Every year this comes out, and I love to check it out. It’s a look at the contents in the bowl goody bags given to players. And some of the loot is pretty sweet. [ MORE: Full 2015-16 bowl schedule | Ranking the bowls, 1-40 | Big Ten bowl bags | Big Ten bowl factoids | Get all of our bowl coverage ] Watches, sandals, sunglasses, $300 gift cards to Best Buy … even something called a Ogio backack with hydration bladder. I guess I want one. I don’t know. Maybe. Check it all out. It’s a nice haul for